Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the common chronic complications of diabetes mellitus, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients. Because of microvascular disease and disorders of glucose and lipid metabolism, the nerve tissue of patients will be damaged, resulting in numbness, pain and other symptoms of limbs. In the face of this challenge, the treatment of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine provides us with a new idea and method. This article will give you a detailed introduction to the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine to help you better understand the disease and its treatment.
1. The harm of diabetic peripheral neuropathy is mainly manifested as numbness, pain and paresthesia of limbs, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients. If not treated for a long time, it may also lead to foot ulcers, infections and even amputation. At the same time, neuropathy can also affect the function of heart, gastrointestinal and other organs, and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal dysfunction and other complications.
2. TCM’s understanding of diabetic peripheral neuropathy TCM believes that diabetic peripheral neuropathy belongs to the category of “arthralgia syndrome” and “flaccidity syndrome”. Its main pathogenesis is prolonged diabetes, deficiency of both qi and yin, obstruction of collaterals by blood stasis, and dystrophy of tendons and vessels. Specific performance is: 1. Deficiency of both qi and yin: diabetic patients with long-term hyperglycemia, consumption of qi and yin, leading to deficiency of both qi and yin. 2. Deficiency of vital energy leads to impotence of pushing and unsmooth circulation of blood. Deficiency of yin leads to internal heat, burning of body fluid and viscosity of blood, which can lead to the formation of blood stasis. 2. Obstruction of collaterals by blood stasis: Blood stasis blocks the channels and collaterals, and the circulation of qi and blood is not smooth, which leads to pain, so symptoms such as limb pain and numbness occur. 3. Tendon and vessel dystrophy: Qi and blood cannot nourish the tendons and vessels, resulting in tendon and vessel dystrophy, limb weakness, muscle atrophy and other symptoms.
3. Western medicine treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy 1. Control of blood sugar: Strict control of blood sugar is the basis for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The progress of neuropathy can be delayed by controlling blood sugar within a reasonable range through diet control, exercise and drug treatment. 2. Nerve nutrition: Use methylcobalamin, vitamin B12 and other drugs to promote nerve repair and regeneration. 3. Improve microcirculation: Drugs such as alprostadil and pancreatic kininogenase can dilate blood vessels, improve microcirculation and increase blood supply to nerves. 4. Analgesic treatment: For patients with obvious pain, analgesic drugs such as gabapentin and pregabalin can be used.
4. Advantages of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment 1. Combination of the whole and the part-Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes the holistic concept, starting from the patient’s general condition, syndrome differentiation and treatment, adjusting the balance of Yin and Yang of the body, and improving the body’s immunity. Western medicine pays attention to the treatment of local lesions, aiming at the specific symptoms of neuropathy. The combination of traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine can give full play to the advantages of the combination of the whole and the part, and improve the therapeutic effect. 2. Multi-target therapy-Traditional Chinese medicine treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy uses a variety of methods, such as oral administration of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, massage, fumigation and washing of traditional Chinese medicine, which can play a role from multiple targets. Western medicine treatment is mainly aimed at the intervention of a certain link of neuropathy. Integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine can achieve multi-target therapy and improve the pertinence and effectiveness of treatment. 3. Reduce side effects-Long-term use of Western medicine may cause some side effects, such as gastrointestinal discomfort, liver and kidney function damage, etc. Traditional Chinese medicine can reduce the side effects of western medicine and improve the tolerance of patients while treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
5. Specific methods of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment 1. Oral administration of traditional Chinese medicine-according to the specific condition of patients, syndrome differentiation and treatment, select appropriate prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine for treatment. For the type of deficiency of both qi and yin, modified Shengmai Powder and Liuwei Dihuang Pill can be used; for the type of blood stasis obstructing collaterals, modified Taohong Siwu Decoction can be used; for the type of cold-dampness obstruction, modified Duhuo Jisheng Decoction can be used. 2. Acupuncture and moxibustion treatment-Acupuncture and moxibustion can dredge channels and collaterals, regulate qi and blood, and improve the nutritional status of nerves. Commonly used points are Zusanli, Sanyinjiao, Taichong, Hegu and so on. 3. Massage treatment-Massage can promote local blood circulation, relieve muscle tension, relieve pain and numbness and other symptoms. Manipulations are mainly kneading, pressing and holding. 4. Fumigation and washing with traditional Chinese medicine-after decocting the traditional Chinese medicine, fumigating and washing the affected part can play the role of warming and dredging channels and collaterals, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, detumescence and relieving pain. Commonly used traditional Chinese medicines are Folium Artemisiae Argyi, Flos Carthami, Herba Lycopodii, Herba speranskiae tuberculatae, etc.
6. Experience In the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, the combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine has obvious advantages. Through the combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine, it can improve the therapeutic effect, reduce side effects and improve the quality of life of patients. At the same time, patients should actively cooperate with doctors in the course of treatment, strictly control blood sugar, and maintain good living habits, such as reasonable diet, moderate exercise, smoking cessation and alcohol restriction. Only in this way can we better prevent and treat diabetic peripheral neuropathy, improve the quality of life and enjoy a healthy life.
To sum up, the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy with integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine has unique advantages and good results. By regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, improving local metabolic disorders, promoting the relaxation and blood supply of peripheral blood vessels, and promoting the repair of nerve function, integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment can more effectively alleviate the symptoms of patients and improve the quality of life. Let us work together to bring better treatment options and hope for recovery to our patients. In the future, we look forward to more breakthroughs and progress in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine!
